Braid removal tool and associated method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing braids. The tool is elongated and has functional features at both ends. On one end, the tool has an axially extending substantially conical debraiding point. The point is used to pierce the center of a braid. The tool is then pushed downward at an acute angle to the strand. Tapering then spreads and untangles the braid. At the other end, a hook exists which can be used to remove stitching. The device also includes a face at its middle for displaying indicia.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/716,473 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) which was filed Sep. 13, 2005.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of removing hair braids. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a new debraiding tool.

2. Description of the Related Art

The incorporation of braids into hair has long been practiced. Recently,however, braiding has become a much more common practice and the trendhas been to incorporate numerous small braids into the hair (e.g.,microbraids). Typical hairstyles will include hundreds and in some casesover a thousand braids.

This makes the removal of these braids, or in other words, “taking down”a plurality of braids an arduous task. Two processes are necessary to dothis. For one, the stitching must be removed. Stitching is threaded andcinched to the bottom of a weave strand. Thus, before debraiding, thisstitching must be taken off in some manner. Conventionally this can bedone by snipping the stitching with scissors or snagging it with a comb.

Once the stitching has been removed from a particular strand, thatstrand can be debraided. The prior art methods include using somethingto penetrate the braid such as a fork or fingernail. These techniques,however, have proven to be extremely time-consuming—taking from 4-6hours for an experienced beautician. Others have used combs, but combshave proved unsatisfactory because they tend to cause excessive pullingon the scalp causing discomfort. These conventional processes are alsoextremely taxing on the fingers and hands of the person taking out thebraids.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a debraiding tool and techniquewhich does not have the disadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removingbraids. The tool is elongated and has functional features at both ends.On one end, the tool has an axially extending substantially conicaldebraiding point. The debraiding end is formed to create a relativelysharp point. At the other end, a hook exists which can be used to removestitching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the debraiding tool of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tool.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the tool.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the tool.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tool.

FIG. 6 is a magnified view of the conical end of the tool.

FIG. 7 is a magnified view of the hooked end of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The braid tool and associated methods of the present invention presentsnumerous advantages over the conventional tools and techniques. For one,it provides a substantially conical end which is used to puncture andspread a braid from above at an acute angle to vertical. The conical endis tapered and terminates in a relatively sharp point. This enables theuser to speedily and painlessly remove the braids, enabling a user toremove a full head of braids in half the time possible using the priorart methods.

The other end of the tool includes a prong that is shaped like a conewhich is bent around past perpendicular to form a hook having asharpened point. The hook is ideal for removing stitching.

The tool is approximately 5-inches long, which makes it unique in thatit is more easily manipulated than longer devices. This also makes itinexpensive to produce and easily handled by the user. This size and theoverall shape of the tool enable an individual to self-remove braidswithout the help of a beautician.

In the preferred embodiment, it is formed by injection molding athermoplastic. More specifically, it is an injection-moldedthermoplastic polymer. Polypropylene is used in the preferredembodiment. But other materials or means of manufacture could be usedand still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example,metals, wood, ceramics or other materials could be used as well.

The tool also has a unique feature which enables indicia to be displayedon a face defined by a removed portion of the pick.

A preferred embodiment of the tool may be seen in FIGS. 1-7. Referringfirst to FIG. 1, it may be seen that a tool 10 has a first debraidingend 12 and a second hooked end 14 which exist on an elongated body 16.

Debraiding end 12 is substantially conical. Thus, it is tapered inwardfrom body 16 until it reaches a sharp point 20. Point 20 is used topierce a braid, and then a tapered portion 24 is used to spread it sothat the braid is removed while creating very little downward force onthe particular strand, making the process painless. Though end 12 issubstantially conical, its point 20 is slightly axially offset from thecenter axis of the tool.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the end 12 is substantially axial, however, anupper taper 26 is less extreme than a lower taper 28, which moves upward(looking in cross section) to a greater extent than the upper taper 26drops. Thus, the location of sharp tip 20 is slightly above the centrallongitudinal axis of the tool body 16. These advantages will bediscussed in more detail later.

Though the preferred embodiment of the tool discloses a first end 12 ashaving a substantially conical, axially offset tip shape, othersimilarly functioning shapes would also fall within the scope of theinvention. For example, biconical, elliptical, conical-eliptical hybrid,and other shapes might be employed to accomplish the same functionalobjectives. Further, the tip could be offset to a greater extent thanshown in FIG. 2 or not offset at all. Thus, the present invention shouldnot be considered as limited to any particular shape unless specificallyclaimed to be so.

A second hooked end 14 having a tip 22 is also shown. This is the endwhich is used to remove stitching by snaring it. The snaring isaccomplished by hooking tip 22 underneath the stitching and then pullingit out. At hooked end 14, the cross-sectional area of the tool, has alaterally restricted portion 18 even though uniform thickness ismaintained (see FIGS. 2 and 4). From the side, hook tip 22 can be seenas having a bent conical shape terminating in a sharp point. Instead ofits tip extending in a substantially axial direction (like tip 20), itcurves away and around so that its axial direction is at an acute angleto the center axis of body 16. This maximizes the tip's hookingabilities. Further, because (like with end 12) it flares away from thetip, it is easily inserted between the stitching and surrounding hair,and when the tool is pulled by the user, a spreading effect causes thestitching to be easily separated from the strand it was securing.

Elongated body 16 of the tool, in the preferred embodiment, isapproximately 5-inches long and has a substantially uniform thickness 34(see FIG. 2). Because of its size, the tool is easily handled by theuser but is still large enough to be effective. A middle portion of body16 includes a removed portion 30. Removed portion 30 defines a planerface 32 in a front 36 of the tool which can be used to display indicia,e.g., a trade name, or other information.

Before detangling a braid on a person with a weave (a “client”) usingtool 10, the user (e.g., beautician) first snares the stitching andremoves it by pulling down on the tool as described above. Once thestitching has been removed, the debraiding can begin. Unlike theconventional techniques which require working from below or even withthe braid, and then working the braid loose, tool 10 is adapted so thatthe user can pierce the knot from above, and then push down on the tool.To do this, the tool is grasped in the fingers of one hand, and orientedwith hooked end 14 up, hook tip 22 out (so that a top surface 40 isfacing the user) and end 12 down where it is to be inserted into thebraid. Body 16, because of its size and shape, makes it easily handledby the user. Next, the user grasps the strand with his or her other handso that it is secure. Then, the user pierces the bottom braid in thestrand at its center with sharp tip 20. End 12 from its hooked end 14should be an acute angle to the strand that is hanging down verticallyfrom the clients head, preferably at an angle less than 45 degreesupward from the strand. From this position, pushing the tool downwardcauses the tapered portion to spread the braid and easily remove it.

The process is then repeated braid after braid in the strand until thatstrand is completely debraided. Then the user moves on to another stand,destitches it, and debraids it. This process is repeated over and overuntil all the client's braids have been removed.

Once the user masters the technique (which takes little time), braidscan be removed one after another in a repeated motion which is kind oflike a downward stabbing action. Because the process is so efficient, ittypically takes about half the time to debraid a weave as was requiredusing conventional tools and techniques.

The tool and process also provide tremendous ergonomic benefits. Thereis no fighting gravity or contorted finger positioning like with theprior art methods.

Because the present invention is so inexpensive, easy to use, and makesthe process so much more efficient, it is ideal for lay consumers inaddition to professionals.

As can be seen, the present invention and its equivalents are welladapted to provide a new and useful debraiding device and associatedmethod. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted,as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention has been described in relation to a particularembodiment, which is intended in all respects to be illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Many alternativeembodiments exist but are not included because of the nature of thisinvention. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means ofimplementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from thescope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the orderdescribed.

1. A braid removal tool, comprising: an elongated body; and asubstantially conical first end with a sharpened tip for use in removingbraids.
 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein said sharpened tip is offsetfrom the center axis of the body of the tool.
 3. The tool of claim 1,wherein said body is comprised of an injection-molded thermoplasticpolymer.
 4. The tool of claim 3, wherein said polymer is polypropylene.5. The tool of claim 1, comprising: a second end adapted to removestitching.
 6. The tool of claim 5, wherein said second end is hooked andconical such that it is able to snare stitching.
 7. The tool of claim 6,wherein said second end is tapered so that it causes a spreading effectto separate the stitching.
 8. The tool of claim 1, comprising: a secondend which is bent to form a hook, said hook being adapted to removestitching by snaring it.
 9. A braid removal tool, comprising: anelongated body with a substantially uniform thickness; a substantiallyconical first end with a sharpened tip wherein the sharpened tip isoffset from the center axis of the body of the tool; and a second endwith a hooked and conical shape wherein the second end has a laterallyrestricted portion that extends into the elongated body.
 10. The tool ofclaim 9, wherein the second end is tapered.
 11. The tool of claim 9,wherein the elongated body is comprised of an injection-moldedthermoplastic polymer.